Pulse research

Providing insights into the factors that affect the quality of Canadian pulse crops is the primary objective of the Grain Research Laboratory's Pulse research program. This includes understanding how environmental and genetic factors influence biochemical components and end-use quality. It also involves developing new or improved methods for measuring and assessing pulse seed and end-use quality.

Research

• Investigates pulse (peas, lentils, chickpeas and beans) seed quality characteristics as they are related to the quality of end-use pulse products
• Examines the role that environmental and genetic factors play in determining biochemical components, functionality and pulse end-use quality
• Supports the Canadian Grain Commission's grain grading system by studying the effects of grading factors on pulse seed and end-use quality
• Develops new or improved methodologies for measuring and assessing pulse seed and end-use quality
• Researches quality of food grade soybean seeds and their products
• Provides unbiased pulse quality information on Canadian pulse crops by conducting annual pulse quality survey

Technology, methods, and standards

• Uses internationally-accepted methods, including:
  • Methods of the American Association of Cereal Chemists International
  • Official methods of Association of Official Analytical Chemists International
  • Methods developed by the International Organization for Standardization
• Collaborates with researchers worldwide in developing methods for measuring pulse quality parameters